Issue 62 - A global community

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A global community

There have been several things recently that have brought home just how vast the whisky fraternity is, as well as how passionate and friendly connoisseurs, recent devotees and the industry can be.

I helped unload and prepare the samples for the first round of our World Whiskies Awards, and surrounded by box upon box in the tiny kitchen we have here, it was staggering to see the amount of whisky that is out there. And we did not even have to contend with sorting out entries from America and Japan, which were handled and judged in their respective countries.

It is hardto explain the pride you feel looking at some hundred odd bottles from the various companies – possibly the only time you see this is in decent whisky shops and the distilleries, but in such a small room it is easy to appreciate one fact. If you say you do not like one whisky do not rule the spirit out altogether…there are whiskies for all palates.

To twist an old saying, behind every great product there is a great person and place.

The last months have been taken up with organising this year's Icons of Whisky awards.

This is one of those events where the pride of being involved turns to honour as you share a room with some of whisky's great personalities from around the world.

Nearly every whisky producing nation has a shot at winning an Icon and it is impressive once you scratch the surface and see the devotion to whisky round the world.